WEBVTT ED: BREAKING NEWS AT 4:00,MALCOLM BUTLER HAS JUST ISSUED ASTATEMENT SURROUNDING THE RUMORSREGARDING HIS BENCHING.EMILY: WHAT DOES IT SAY?>> IT STARTS OFF BY THINKING THEKRAFT FAMILY AND THE PATRIOTSFOR AN OPPORTUNITY TOPARTICIPATE ON A WINNING TEAMFOR THE PAST FOUR BEEN YEARS,BUT THEN HE GETS DOWN TO THEACCUSATIONS OVER THE LAST 24-48HOURS.THIS IS A PORTION OF IT "I NEVERATTENDED ANY CONCERT, MISSEDCURFEW, OR ANTICIPATED IN THERIDICULOUS ACTIVITIES REPORTED."THEY ARE NOT ONLY FALSE BUTHURTFUL TO ME AND MY FAMILY.I'M READING AN ADDITIONAL PARTTHAT SAYS "DURING SUPER BOWLWEEK, HE VISITED WITH HIS FAMILYEVERY SINGLE NIGHT -- I VISITEDWITH MY FAMILY EVERY SINGLENIGHT AND NEVER WENT TO ANYCONCERT, MISSED CURFEW, OR DIDANY OF THESE RIDICULOUS THINGSGOING ON."HE SAYS, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FORANYONE OFFENDED FOR LANGUAGE.IT WAS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR ME.I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 2018 SEASONTO GET READY."HE DOES SAY "I HAVE TO GET READYFOR THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY.HE IS AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTAND CAN SIGN WITH ANY TEAM HEWANTS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THISIS A GOODBYE MESSAGE TO THEPATRIOTS AND THE PATRIOTS FANS,BUT HE IS TRYING TO SET THERECORD STRAIGHT ON ALL THERUMORS FLYING AROUND THAT HE DID

Malcolm Butler releases statement on Super Bowl benching

Tom Brady among those who like Instagram post

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Updated: 7:34 PM EST Feb 6, 2018

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler has broken his silence after being benched in the biggest game of the season.

In his statement, Butler denied allegations being reported about why he was benched in Super Bowl LII.

“I have always given it everything I have to play at a high level, and would never do anything to hurt my team’s chances of winning a game, including this year’s Super Bowl, where I visited with my family every night,” Butler said in a statement published on social media. “I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated in any of the ridiculous activities being reported. They are not only false, but hurtful to me and my family.”

Butler said he wished he could have contributed more to help the team and said he has to “get ready for the next opportunity.”

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was among those who liked Butler's post on Instagram. "Love you Malcolm," Brady said in the comments section. "You are an incredible player and teammate and friend. Always!!!!!!"

Dozens of current and former Patriots also liked Butler's Instagram post.

During the singing of the National Anthem before kickoff of Super Bowl LII between the Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, Butler was seen crying on the sidelines, wiping tears as the team stood on the sideline.

Head coach Bill Belichick said Butler not playing in defensive snaps during the game was a coach's decision. Butler played in about 98 percent of defensive snaps for the Patriots this season.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said Butler's benching was due to a perfect storm of issues that included sickness, a rough week of practice and a minor rule violation believed to be related to curfew.

My understanding is the benching of #Patriots CB Malcolm Butler happened because of a perfect storm of issues: Sickness, a rough week of practice, and a minor rule violation believed to be related to curfew. A complicated matter. pic.twitter.com/TmUJgkHpsZ